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Senior Conservator

Posted: September 1, 2010 — Closes: September 30, 2010

Royal Ontario Museum

Toronto, Ontario

Type: Full Time, Experienced

Required Degree: Masters

Salary: Commensurate with education and experience

Description:
SENIOR CONSERVATOR
(Ceramic, Stone & Glass)

The Royal Ontario Museum is seeking a skilled and experienced Senior Conservator specializing in the treatment of ceramics, stone and glass to join the museum's multi-disciplinary conservation team.

ROM collections include art and archaeological artifacts from around the world, and an extensive range of materials. The ceramics collections include stoneware, porcelain, and soft ware porcelain from Europe and Asia; and thin glazed earthenware from Europe and the Near East. Archaeological ceramics are a very important group in the ROM collections and include artifacts made of low fired clays with soft glazed or painted finishes. There are, additionally, a wide variety of stone artifacts including painted and unpainted objects, ancient to modern; and significant collections of decorative and archaeological glass.

The initial focus of this new position will be to prepare for the opening of the new Roman World Galleries that are one of the final parts of a major renovation and expansion at the ROM. Conservation care of the ceramics, stone and glass collections in the longer term will involve program driven conservation assessment and treatment, research, documentation, and work with curators and collections technicians on preventive conservation.

Participation in departmental activities, public consultation, education and the training of interns will also be important aspects of the role of the ceramics, stone and glass conservator.

Major responsibilities include:
• Undertake scientific examination of ceramic, stone and glass objects, and assess conservation requirements;
• Plan, schedule, assign, supervise and/or execute and document conservation treatments of objects in the ROM collections in consultation with curators and other museum departments;
• Coordinate conservation projects relating to collections care in storage, on loan and on display;
• Participate in the development of conservation standards; the definition of conservation policy and the general promotion of all aspects of collections care;
• Participate on planning teams for exhibition and gallery development;
• Provide training opportunities for conservation interns from recognized training programs and provide supervision/technical guidance to volunteers/staff from other museum departments, outside agencies, and the general public;
• Participate in Conservation's care of collections teaching program.

Qualifications:
• Master's degree in Conservation plus eight years experience in the conservation of ceramics, stone and glass, including archaeological material, OR an acceptable equivalent in education and experience;
• Proven knowledge of materials and techniques used in the making of ceramic, stone and glass objects; their physical, chemical and biological deterioration; and current practices in their examination, treatment and preservation in storage and on display;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of a team, to enlist the cooperation and involvement of others, and to provide supervision when required;
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Proven time and resource planning and management abilities;
• Photographic and computer skills are required;
• French language skills are an asset.

Other Information :
Salary Grade 16
Salary: $65,525 per year
PROBATIONARY PERIOD: 6 months

Application Instructions:
APPLY IN WRITING TO: Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2C6. Attention: Keenan Wowk, Human Resources Coordinator, Fax: 416-586-5827.

Deadline for applications is September 24, 2010. Please be advised that only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.